Whistler, Cypress, Grouse, Sun Peaks, Big White open early

Ski resorts across British Columbiaare opening early this year, eager to make up for last year's soggyseason that was cut short for many by warm temperatures and a lackof snow.

Big White near Kelowna was the first ski resort to open this year on Nov. 13. It was followed by Whistler Blackcomb on Thursday andSun Peaks, GrouseMountain and Cypress Mountain on Friday.

"It's great to see some natural snow on the ground. I think we got 45 centimetres at the top of the mountain it's great," said Cypress Mountain director of sales and marketing Joffrey Koeman.

"Coupled with our snowmaking system and our snowmaking improvements we put in in the summer, it's making for a good start."

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Koeman said about 50 per cent of the snow currently on Cypressis manufacturedbut that's better than where things were atthe start of last year's season, when they relied very heavily on manmadesnow.

Last winter was disappointing for most of the local ski hills. Mount Seymour, Mount Baker and Cypress Mountain closed early and were barely able to operate during the season.

To make it up to their returning customers, Cypress offered an 80 per cent discount on a season's pass this year, anticipating an improvement.

WhistlerBlackcombis also anticipating a better year ahead.

"It's much more typical weather patterns than we've seen last couple years," saidWhistler Blackcomb Director of Mountain Operations DougMacFarlane.

"The forecast ahead looks like cool Arctic air pushing down the next10 days great for our snowmaking teams."

More workers needed

If this year turns out to bea normal season, Cypress is going to need to hire more workers.

Koeman said the usual 60 or so employees to kick off the season are working now, but at the season's peak, the hill will need about 850 workers for business to run smoothly.

"We're just starting out, so hopefully it's a long time until we need more staff, and we'll get staffed up as soon as we can," said Koeman.

Mount Seymour will also look to make up for last year's snowless winter when it opens in the coming weeks.